Explosion Kills 3 Firefighters In Arkansas

Published: May 9, 1997

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 8—
Three firefighters died today and 16 people were injured in an explosion and fire that heavily damaged a farm chemical distribution plant in West Helena, Ark., about 80 miles south of Memphis.

Ed Ethredge, a spokesman for the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services, said the plant, owned by BPS Inc., packaged bulk agricultural chemicals. Mr. Ethredge said there were reports of a smaller fire at the plant this morning. State officials were quoted by The Associated Press as saying that a smoldering bag of pesticide caught fire and triggered the explosion about 1 P.M.

A hospital, a nursing home and a nearby subdivision were evacuated, and patients and residents were taken to Phillips County Community College, where it was expected that they would remain overnight.

At 9:20 P.M. a spokeswoman for the Office of Emergency Services, Frances Huddleston, said residents outside a quarter-mile of the plant were being allowed to return to their homes with the understanding that a subsequent evacuation might have to be ordered.

Mr. Ethredge said the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology had identified the burning chemicals as methomyl, thiophante and azinphos-methyl, phosphate-based substances that are blended for use as a crop pesticide.

''We know that it's highly toxic, and can be fatal if inhaled,'' Mr. Ethredge said. He added that the authorities at West Helena had requested ''quantities'' of atropine and 2-Pam chloride, which he said were used in treating the inhalation of toxic gases.

Experts said the chemicals, used to control mites and other bugs, could damage the central nervous system. Brief exposure to azinphos-methyl can cause symptoms including breathing problems and paralysis.

Officials in Tennessee and Mississippi were alerted to the possibility that winds could carry the toxic fumes across their borders.

West Helena and adjoining Helena make up a small metropolitan area of 20,000 along the Mississippi River, on which shipping was halted.